The number of COVID-19 patients at The University of Kansas Health System includes 10 people with the active virus being treated, the same as yesterday. Of those patients, five are in the ICU, down from six yesterday, and three of those patients are on ventilators, same as yesterday. Eight other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID-19 but are out of the acute infection phase, same as yesterday. That’s a total of 18 patients, consistent with yesterday’s numbers. After averaging between 20-30 patients recently, having under 20 patients heading into the weekend is an encouraging sign. HaysMed has four total patients, the same as yesterday. Three have the active virus and one is recovering.
On today’s Morning Media Update, we answered community questions. Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control was joined by Dr. Barbara Pahud, Research Director of Pediatrics Infectious Diseases at Children's Mercy and Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the KU School of Medicine.
Dr. Hawkinson began the discussion by asking Dr. Pahud about the clinical trial in progress at Children’s Mercy. Dr. Pahud explained that this phase one clinical trial is determining what amount of vaccine is effective for children. Once a dose amount is identified that is working, the study will move on to major clinical trials. Children’s Mercy is only one of about six centers across the country participating in this important research study.
Here are the media and community questions in the order that the doctors addressed them, followed by the short answer. Time code for the question is in parentheses. See the video for their full answers and comments.
- (9:47) What about people who see the UEA designation on vaccines thinking it means it is experimental and, therefore, unsafe? This is approved for an emergency. We are in the middle of a pandemic, so this is what we would consider an emergency.
- (15:15) What about vaccines getting total FDA approval? The FDA needs to review the data we have from the clinical trial in addition to all the data that has been collected around the world.
- (17:18) How do people who don’t have an ID get vaccinated? While a lot of places do require an ID, checking with the County Health Department is a good start. They may have arrangements with shelters and other community outreach places.
- (18:30) MIS-C cases in kids linked to COVID-19 surged in February after the holidays. Are we seeing more cases of MIS-C in children? Who is susceptible? Basically, any child that is susceptible to COVID is susceptible to MIS-C. It is not in the immediate presentation – it takes about a couple weeks. So, the holidays caused a large exposure then and may explain the surge.
- (20:40) When the Pfizer vaccine is EUA approved for children age 12 to 15, will it be the current Pfizer vaccine or a different one? It is the current vaccine, but it may not be the 30-microgram dose.
- (23:01) The FDA paused the J&J vaccine because of blood clots found in six younger women. How common are cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis CVST among females in the general population ages 18-48? (see graphic in the video) In the general population, it’s 3-15 per one million in the course of a year. It affects generally younger females and is three times more likely than males.
- (25:04) Is there data showing why breakthrough infections happen with the COVID-19 vaccines? Does it mean a person's immune system rejected the vaccine? It does not mean that. Breakthrough cases can happen because the vaccine didn’t create a robust enough immune response for that particular person. Plus, the real value of the vaccine is to prevent hospitalizations and death.
- (28:27) What about reports that both COVID-19 and the vaccine cause a change in menstrual bleeding? Is this true? There can be changes in bleeding from all types of things -- infection, stress, and other factors. While there are anecdotal stories about changes in menstruation, there have been no published studies or data to validate any findings.
- (21:21) What is the difference between vaccines for children and vaccines for adults? Will children need two shots? They will need two shots as we do that for priming and boosting. Even for Johnson & Johnson there will likely be two doses for children. Moving forward, we might need boosters against variants just like flu shots boost against different strains.
- (29:49) Will mRNA vaccines be used for flu shots going forward and will it make them more effective? mRNA may be used for all future pandemic responses. It allowed us to respond quickly to this virus. An effective vaccine developed within about one year from initial discovery of the virus.
- (32:26) Both my husband and I have been vaccinated, but one of us has autoimmune conditions. Is it safe for our younger kids to go back to school or should they wait until a vaccine is approved for them? Sending kids back to school is a personal decision, meaning how much risk are you willing to take? For the auto-immune issue with parents, the risk is that they get the vaccine and bring it home to you. Talk with your medical team to discuss what is right for you.
- (34:47) Can doctors speak to the variants in Metro area counties? Do vaccines work against them? Do they cause more serious illness? There are a number of variants in the metro area. It’s important to remember that for the variants, the vaccines do show efficacy in protecting against severe disease and death.
- (37:07) Is the Brazil situation affecting more children? There are three things we are looking at now: Can it make you sicker? Is it easier to transmit? Can it avoid immune recognition (the invisibility superpower)? The virus has learned how to stick better due to mutations.
- (39:32) I had COVID-19 in January and received one dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Since I did not get the second shot, what percentage am I protected? Should I get the second shot now? We are currently recommending you get two doses and get it at least 21 days after your first dose.
- (40:54) What about an outdoor gathering of 25 people who are all vaccinated? Safe? One of the considerations is – is everyone in the households of those 25 at the outdoor gathering going to be safe? Being outdoors is better, but even large gatherings like this without masking and social distancing is still not recommended in the guidance.
- (42:51) Do you follow what’s happening with children all over the world? Dr. Pahud spends a lot of time reading up on everything that is happening around the world, not just in children, but for the vaccine overall.
Monday, April 26 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Media Update. Missouri Congressman Emanuel Cleaver will be in studio to talk about how COVID-19 has impacted Missouri.
ATTENTION: media procedure for calling in:
The meeting is available by Zoom, both video and by phone. To join the Zoom Meeting by video, click https://kumc-ois.zoom.us/j/7828978628
Telephone dial-in Participants: For those without Zoom, call 1-312-626-6799, meeting ID: 782 897 8628. The feed is also available via TVU grid. The TVU source is UoK_Health and is being made available to all. Feel free to send questions in advance to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu.